Qatar's per capita water consumption 'highest in the world'

Thursday, 07 March 2013 08:46

In the water sector, the country is expected to witness developments worth US$87mn before 2022. (Image source: Sarah Ackerman/Flickr)The per capita water consumption in Qatar is currently the highest in the world, with the total consumption recorded at 216 cubic metres in 2012, according to Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa)

The announcement by Kahramaa was made on the occasion of the Arab Water Day.

Essa bin Hilal Al Kuwari, president of Kahramaa, said, “The scarcity of fresh water resources in the region is in itself a major challenge."

Saif Al Malki, director of water affairs department at Kahramaa, added, "An estimated investment of US$6bn is required for the 10-year project on the development of water network in Qatar."

Al Malki added that new water desalination plants would be set up soon in the country and maintenance of the current water pumping stations would be carried out to meet the growing demand.

Plans to set up a water desalination plant, with a capacity of 36mn gallon per day at Ras Abu Fontas, were already approved. The plant is expected to be functional by the mid of 2015.

In the water sector, the country is expected to witness developments worth US$87mn before 2022.

H.E. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada, Qatar’s minister of energy and industry, said that the country's participation in the event reflects the importance of preserving water resources and to bolster the integration of the Arab world’s developmental plans related to water resources and food security.